How should we behave in this world…Part 2
Show Christ
…by living above reproach …
…by living at peace …
…by giving no place for revenge …
Again, we as “true” believers have a call to live a balanced life…to be “in the world, but not of the world”.
If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. John 15:19
I have given them thy word; and the world hath hated them, because they are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. [15] I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil. [16] They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. John 17:14-16
When the wife of missionary Adoniram Judson told him that a newspaper article likened him to some of the apostles, Judson replied, "I do not want to be like a Paul...or any mere man. I want to be like Christ...I want to follow Him only, copy His teachings, drink in His Spirit, and place my feet in His footprints...Oh, to be more like Christ!" Source Unknown.
I pray this is your heartfelt desire today and every day.
Last week we looked at our Showing Christ…
by blessing those who persecute us…
in our interactions…
in harmony…
Show Christ by living above reproach (v.17).
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. Romans 12:17
We should live above reproach in the sight of all.
We are not to react; by returning evil for evil.
We do not react because…
Reaction would most likely end the friendship and all hope of reaching the person for Jesus Christ.
Reaction is not the way of God or of Christ.
“But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also....That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matthew 5:39, 45).
“Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing” (1 Peter 3:9).
“See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men” (1 Thes. 5:15).
“Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the LORD” (Leviticus 19:18).
“Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee” (Proverbs 20:22).
“Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work” (Proverbs 24:29).
We are called to show good behavior in the sight of all.
We need think before we act.
We need do what is right and expected of a “Child of Christ”.
Why do this you might ask? Scripture answers…
“…So that our honest and noble response is seen by men.”
We are to love by turning the other cheek in “the sight of all.” In doing so God’s love will be seen.
“Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8).
“Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men” (2 Cor. 8:21).
“Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind them about thy neck; write them upon the table of thine heart: so shalt thou find favor and good understanding in the sight of God and man” (Proverbs 3:3-4).
Show Christ by living at peace (v.18)
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Romans 12:18
We are to live at peace as much as possible.
However, as is the case right now, peace is not always possible.
If it is possible, the believer is to live at peace with all.
We should never be the cause of conflict. We should try everything possible to bring about peace and to keep peace.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. Romans 12:20
But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. [40] And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. [41] And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain. Matthew 5:39-41
What determines whether we turn the “other cheek” or defend ourselves?
The governing principle is clear: “be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:21).
When God places a righteous cause before us, then we stand against the nature of evil, indulgence and license.
We are not called to sacrifice truth to preserve peace. Evil and the lies thereof will never overcome truth.
“If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences” (Eccles. 10:4).
“Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another” (Romans 14:19).
“Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14).
Show Christ by giving no place for revenge (v. 19-21)
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. [20] Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. [21] Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good. Romans 12:19-21
We are not to seek revenge…
If you are a Christian “Dearly beloved”, then we leave that to the only righteous judge… Vengeance belongs to God.
Scripture is clear: God will repay—God will execute vengeance. The day of His wrath comes and it will be inescapable.
“And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thes. 1:7-8).
“For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people” (Hebrews 10:30).
“To me belongeth vengeance, and recompense; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste” (Deut. 32:35).
“O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, show thyself” (Psalm 94:1).
Treating our enemy with kindness will affect them greatly.
Kindness will cause anguish for our enemy. It may cause them to think of God. There is the chance that they might repent and be converted.
“If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: for thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the LORD shall reward thee” (Proverbs 25:21-22).
Kindness stores up wrath against the evil doer in the day of judgment.
“But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God” (Romans 2:5).
Vengeance makes evil victorious. If we seek vengeance, then we allow evil to conquer us.
We are to conquer evil, never allow evil to conquer us.
“But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you” (Matthew 5:44).
So we see the manner in which we are called to walk in this world?
In his book I Surrender, Patrick Morley writes that the church’s integrity problem is in the misconception "that we can add Christ to our lives, but not subtract sin. It is a change in belief without a change in behavior." He goes on to say, "It is revival without reformation, without repentance." Quoted in John The Baptizer, Bible Study Guide by C. Swindoll, p. 16
Are you ready to show “Christ” in your life and walk?
To do so would require Christ to be in control of your life. Are you willing to submit to Jesus?
Have you accepted Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior?
Can people see Jesus in You? Show his light…
